another life beyond the line

April 2025

S M T W T F S
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930   

Layout By

Powered by Dreamwidth Studios
Previous | Next
phantomrider: ('cause you look so pretty)
[personal profile] phantomrider
[community profile] beyondtheline
phantomrider: ('cause you look so pretty)
[personal profile] phantomrider
[community profile] beyondtheline

I sure like the feeling of an endless road

phantomrider: ('cause you look so pretty)
[personal profile] phantomrider
[community profile] beyondtheline
[A few hours of open road makes for easygoing fun. It's great to be traveling again, and the feeling of Chrissy leaning up against his back, holding on tight while he whips ahead on a wide-open freeway through the pitch black of night is like nothing else. The last time they were racing up and down this freeway, they were on the way to go burn a bunch of people's lives down - but now that's hours back, back with the rest of the city. They've left the lights and have nothing to look at but the pavement in Johnnie's headlight, the glimpses of stars shining weakly through hazy clouds, and occasionally an oncoming car.

Johnnie hasn't exactly been trying to tune in to his senses or abilities or whatever it is he has - he's just been cruising, letting the night go by, enjoying their plunge northward without a care or a thought. So it is deeply irritating when the pavement quickly fades to a well-worn dirt track that almost tosses him and Chrissy to the ground, and it takes all of his skills to get the front wheel under control and to slow down before they hit a rock that really might launch them into the nearest alfalfa field. Or whatever it is that's here, whenever they've found themselves. Somewhere pre-freeway. Boo.

But there are a few lights ahead, and he did need a stop to pee, so, fuck it.]


Well, shit. Y'know, I dunno exactly where we are. Last sign said San Jose was still fuckin' hours off. You good? That was kinda shaky.

[As long as this dirt road stays packed, they can drive it, but it's going to be slow. Good thing they're almost to somewhere.]

Comments

phantomrider: (what does it matter now)
Jul. 14th, 2025 03:17 pm (UTC)
Hmm.

[While he hums to himself and appraises things, Johnnie takes the opportunity to look around. This place is like a museum - or what a museum should be like, he thinks, because he's never actually been in one labeled as such. But there are so many cool things in here, all available to take home if you name the right price. Jewelry and watches don't hold a candle in his eyes to the strange future-shaped plastic electronics. The fuck's an XBOX? Must be something cool.

He gets caught up watching the muted TV, too. The sports aren't the most interesting thing, football is fine, but the ads are a look into another world. He gives Chrissy a sort of absent-minded squeeze while eyeing the bright colors of the crisp screen as a car glides majestically along a mountain road.]


All right, you two. I'll take the whole lot for $200. I just need some ID.

[As he says it, he pulls up one of those funny little boxy screens - they're phones, Johnnie can tell based on the labeled ones for sale, but he can't figure out how they are phones and why he would be using a phone right now - and starts tapping something on it.

Johnnie internally groans and does an eyeroll. Maybe Chrissy can talk her way out of this one - she's the one he's probably more likely to be sympathetic to here. Otherwise, they're going to have to go find a new site to sell at and maybe pay someone to do the selling for them.]
cheerleader: (pic#17113488)
Jul. 15th, 2025 01:18 am (UTC)
[Oh fuck, he's asking for ID. They can't use any ID that they have on them in whatever time this is. She better think fast. She frowns and shakes her head, sighing as she leans against the counter.]

Well, I never got my ID. And we can't use his because I don't want my family finding out he brought me here. They don't really like him. Do we really need ID to do this?

[The man working eyes Johnnie more than her, but does give her a concerned look.]

You don't have anything to prove you're who you say you are? Not even a school ID?

[Her face brightens at that, as she remembers something Osvaldo made for her.]

Oh! Yeah, I have my student ID. It's from my community college back home.

[She pulls her wallet out and finds that ID, from back when she was trying to take some summer Spanish classes before. Maybe this is a sign she needs to keep this ID and try taking the classes again in the fall.

The good thing about using it is there's no dates. Just her picture, the name of the school and her actual name and birthday. She pulls it out and sets it on the counter. He barely glances at it before pushing it back her way.
]

Looks good to me. Is $200 good for you then, honey?

[Oh, she wasn't expecting to be asked that. She thinks it over, tapping at her lips with her finger before shrugging.]

I was kinda hoping to get a little more than that. But you're the expert so if you think that's what's fair, I trust you.

[Her smile is so sweet and genuine that she can see the guy question himself.]

I guess I can go up to $300. $200 cash, and $100 store credit.

[$100 to find what they want seems like a better deal. She glances at Johnnie to see what he thinks. If they push for $300 cash, she thinks he might send them walking.]